“Like other Trusts in the country, we have seen an increase in the number of patients treated in our Emergency Department over the last few weeks.

“As part of the Trust’s winter planning strategy, we have made a number of adjustments at Peterborough City Hospital. They include:

? Creating space for an additional 12 beds

? Creating a new, dedicated 29 bed Medical short stay ward

? Changing the use of two wards to provide both specialist and general medical care

? Working closely with our voluntary sector partners, including the British Red Cross, who provide hospital to home support for adult patients who are well enough to leave hospital.

“We would like to ask people to choose well and consider whether they could seek help from their local pharmacy, GP, the Minor Injuries and Illness Unit at the City Care Centre or ringing NHS 11, before travelling to the hospital’s Emergency Department. This will enable us to focus on helping those patients who require urgent priority treatment.”